Stinky Car, Raccoon Rocket

This episode is not part of any Collection. It is the seventh episode of Season 2.

Myths tested:
Is it possible to de-stink a car after being sealed up with a dead pig, and then sell it?
If gasoline is poured down a drain pipe and lit while a person is inside of it, will that person be launched as if from a cannon?

The Science behind Stinky Car
The main idea here is the power of biological smells. The key questions:
• What chemicals are released as pigs decompose?
• Is there ANYTHING that can remove those chemicals from the inside of the car?

Students can learn more about organic chemistry and about how humans are evolutionarily sensitized to detect rotten flesh (thiols). It can be helpful to talk about cleaning products and what they can and can’t do, and how different odors can be remedied (stinky shoes, underarms, bacon grease, spoiled eggs…). (My students love this myth, but I’m not sure it’s all that science-y) This myth is sort of related to the skunk myths (FIND EPISODE NAME).

The Science behind Raccoon Rocket
Controlled explosions and gasoline combustion are the main ideas here. The key questions:
• How do cannons work? What are the necessary parts?
• What is a sabot?
• How are gasoline and gunpowder different?

Students can explore the construction of cannons and the importance of a seal around the projectile. Also interesting: again the fire triangle for gasoline combustion, and the differences between gasoline and gunpowder. Possible research: what is a hillbilly?

Cell Phone Destruction, Silicone Implants, CD Shatter

This episode is part of Collection 1, disc 1, episode 3. It is ALSO the third episode of Season 2.


Myths tested:
Will using a cell phone near a gas pump cause an explosion?
Will silicone breast implants explode or expand in low pressure?
Can a standard CD-ROM drive shatter a CD?

The Science behind Cell Phone Destruction
The main ideas here involve cell phone power, static electricity and gasoline combustion. The key questions:
• How much of a spark can a cell phone generate?
• How much of a spark is required to ignite gas fumes?
• Can static electricity sparks ignite gas fumes?
Students can explore creating sparks with static electricity, how cell phones are powered/insulated, and the fire triangle in the context of gasoline combustion. (See Episode 14 for a followup.)

The Science behind Blow Up Boobs
The effects of air pressure on contained fluids are the main ideas here. The key questions:
• What are the ingredients/components of breast implants?
• How does air pressure change in flight?
• How do changes in air pressure affect contained liquids?
Students can explore the behavior of silicone, contained fluids under various air pressures, and learn more about
pressurization on airplanes. (See Episode 14 for a followup.)

The Science behind CD Shatter
The speed of CD-ROM drives and the durability of CD-ROM discs are the main ideas here. The key questions:
• How fast do CD-ROM drives move? What forces are generated?
• What does it take to shatter a CD-ROM disc? What are they made of?

Students can explore how CD-ROM drives work, and what CD-ROM discs are made of. (How are CDs different from DVDs? How is computer data stored?).

Exploding Toilet, Ice Bullet, Who Gets Wetter (in the rain)?

This episode is part of Collection 1, disc 1, episode 1. It is ALSO the first episode of Season 2.

Myths tested:
Can a person be propelled off a toilet seat by dropping a lit cigarette into a toilet bowl when filled with various combustible materials?
Is running better than walking to keep dry in the rain?
Is it possible to make a "magic bullet" out of ice?

The Science behind Ice Bullet
The main ideas here involve materials, the physics of how bullets are fired, and the amazing strength of human skin. The key questions:
• How does a gun fire a bullet? How hot does it get inside a gun?
• How strong is water ice? Can a usable bullet be made of frozen water, meat or gelatin?
• What does it take to penetrate human skin with a projectile?
Students can explore the properties of frozen water/meat/gelatin, how guns work, and human skin analogs. (This myth is revisited in Episode 14.)

The Science behind Umbrella Gun
The disguising of firearms and poisoning of bullets are the main ideas here. The key questions:
• Is it possible to disguise a gun as an umbrella?
• How can a bullet carry poison?
• Is it possible to kill someone using such a weapon?
Students can explore spy technologies, hidden weapons, poisons, and the history of the Cold War.

The Science behind Outrunning the Rain
The speed of falling rain and measuring accurately are the main ideas here. The key questions:
• Is it possible to outrun raindrops?
• How fast does rain fall?
• How fast can a human run?
Students can explore the speed of falling drops of water, and how fast humans can run. (This myth is revisited in Episode 38.)

The Science behind Gasoline Toilet
The flammability/combustion of gasoline and the strength of porcelain are the main ideas here. The key questions:
• Under what conditions is gasoline flammable/combustible?
• What does it take to make a toilet explode?
Students can explore the fire triangle (fuel/air/heat), and the durability of porcelain fixtures.